HERE'S our latest soundbytes and fixtures from around the tracks up and down the country.
THE BITE-SIZED BULLETIN
PIC OF THE WEEK...
Great Britain's Robert Lambert who raced to a highly-creditable bronze medal in the World Under-21 Championship following Friday's final round of the series in Pardubice, Czech Republic. Picture: RAFAL WLOSEK
PREMIERSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BELLE VUE "Unfortunately we have felt the loss of Dan [Bewley] and more recently Craig [Cook], and you can't help but feel that, had we had a full team, things could have turned out quite differently. But there's nothing we can do about it now. We're beyond gutted but looking at the bigger picture throughout the season, this Belle Vue Aces team has done a tremendous job." Aces boss Mark Lemon looks on the bright side after the club suffered frustration in the play-offs for a fourth successive season, missing out in the semi-finals to Belle Vue.
KING'S LYNN "Kasper (Andersen) has been around all the time and at away matches as a mechanic, while Lewis (Kerr) has been a regular presence despite having a cast on. They have been a big part in this year. If it wasn't for those guys we wouldn't be where we are and you should never forget things like that." Stars boss Dale Allitt pays tribute to his whole squad after clinching a place in the top league Grand Final for the first time in the club's history. NEXT HOME: Poole (PO Final), Wed Oct 10 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Poole (PO Final), Mon Oct 8 (7.30)
POOLE "To pass the World Champion, the league's form rider, in the manner he did was just sensational. Heat 15 was right up there with the best races I have seen on this track in more than 20 years and I'm emotional thinking about it now. It was just a stunning, brave piece of riding and a privilege to witness." Pirates promoter Matt Ford hails the Heat 15 heroics of Chris Harris to overhaul Jason Doyle on the last bend to put his side into the Premiership Grand Final. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (PO Final), Mon Oct 8 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn (PO Final), Wed Oct 10 (7.30)
SOMERSET "In the end I ran out of riders. We can look back on "˜what might have beens' but in the end they had that great run mid-meeting with four maximum heats. Of course it would have been a different meeting had we not lost Jack (Holder) but I am sure Poole will say the same thing about losing Brady (Kurtz)." So near and yet so far for the Rebels and boss Garry May after their heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat at Poole on Monday. NEXT HOME: King's Lynn (KOC Final), Wed Oct 17 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: King's Lynn (KOC Final), Thur Oct 18 (7.30)
SWINDON "It's a bitterly disappointing way to finish. I know the boys don't go out to do that deliberately, but it's still frustrating. We were out-gated and out-muscled in the first corner, and we should have been able to do better." A low-key finish to a disappointing season for the Robins, with Alun Rossiter's side beaten 34-56 at home by Belle Vue in the last meeting on the current Abbey Stadium cicrcuit.
WOLVERHAMPTON "It's a great opportunity for fans to see if they can start as fast as Greg. He's famous for his starts, of course! We have also made the decision to do the rider farewells after the meeting rather than having a more formal end of season function but we are already planning towards a gala launch for 2019." Preparations continue for Wolves' end-of-season Olympique, with promoter Chris Van Straaten confirming a Greg Hancock bike complete with "˜beat the starter' mechanism will be on display. NEXT HOME: NGK Spark Plugs Olympique, Mon Oct 15 (7.30)
CHAMPIONSHIP SOUNDBYTES"¦
BERWICK "This has been a great end to a great season where the guys have just ridden out of their skins with passion and desire to get success for this club and its supporters, and all I want to say is thank you to everyone who has played a part, it's what makes this club so special." Bandits promoter Scott Courtney thanks all concerned with a successful season at Shielfield Park following their Bordernapolis individual event last Saturday.
EDINBURGH The Monarchs suffered a shock KO Cup exit at Workington on Saturday despite winning the first leg by 28 points, and will now complete their season at home to Glasgow in the Scottish Cup this Friday. NEXT HOME: Glasgow (SC), Fri Oct 5 (7.30)
GLASGOW "We want to get our boys fired up ahead of the play-offs and there would be no better way to do that than by giving them a taste of silverware and letting them get their hands on the historic trophy." Tigers owner Gerry Facenna feels this week's Scottish Cup trip to Edinburgh will be a perfect warm-up for his side ahead of their play-off semi-final against Workington. NEXT HOME: Workington (PO SF), Fri Oct 12 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Edinburgh (SC), Fri Oct 5 (7.30)
LAKESIDE "This Saturday it's Groundhog Day again as Peterborough's choice to make the most of our lack of home track advantage means a third successive visit, not good for business unless you reach a Cup Final which of course we have. And as good as they are at Rye House we are rather enjoying our trips to Peterborough too!" Hammers promoter Jon Cook gets set for yet another clash with the Panthers this weekend, this time in the all-important Championship play-off semi-finals. NEXT HOME: Peterborough (PO SF), Sat Oct 6 (7pm) (At Rye House) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough (PO SF), Sun Oct 7 (5pm)
PETERBOROUGH "We weren't good enough over the two legs in this competition unfortunately, but I think next week it will be a different team for them. They still have to be beaten though, so we'll plan ahead for the week to come, and fingers crossed we'll get through in two other competitions." Panthers boss Carl Johnson reflects on their Championship Shield exit to Lakeside, having beaten the Hammers in the KO Cup earlier in the weekend "“ with a play-off clash between the clubs to come next! NEXT HOME: Lakeside (PO SF), Sun Oct 7 (5pm) NEXT AWAY: Scunthorpe (KOC SF), Fri Oct 5 (7.30)
SCUNTHORPE The Scorpions will go back into action this Friday against Peterborough in the KO Cup, although they still have fitness doubts over new No.1 Josh Auty after his recent crash at Workington. NEXT HOME: Peterborough (KOC SF), Fri Oct 5 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Peterborough (KOC SF), Sat Oct 13 (7pm)
WORKINGTON "The tension going into Heat 15 with the aggregate scores level was almost unbearable but the place erupted when Nicolai (Klindt) and Ty (Proctor) crossed the line to book our place in the final; that was a special moment." The Comets are celebrating a remarkable KO Cup comeback against Edinburgh, with Tony Jackson's side coming back from a 59-31 defeat at Armadale in the first leg to book their place in the Final. NEXT HOME: Glasgow (PO SF), Sat Oct 13 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Glasgow (PO SF), Fri Oct 12 (7.30)
TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUNDBYTES"¦
BIRMINGHAM "It was always going to be a big ask for both of them when we signed them but I think they deserve a lot of credit for the way they came in and applied themselves." Brummies boss Laurence Rogers offers praise to reserve duo Sheldon Davies and Josh Embleton after their displays for the Perry Barr side in the closing stages of the season. NEXT HOME: TBC NEXT AWAY: Mildenhall, Sun Oct 7 (3pm)
BUXTON The Hitmen have arranged dates to meet local rivals Stoke home and away this weekend, and will also host Birmingham in another outstanding fixture on October 14. NEXT HOME: Stoke, Sun Oct 7 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Oct 6 (7pm)
COVENTRY "We need people to have confidence in Eastbourne's track "“ it's always well prepared there, but it's just the shape which gives it the home advantage. We'll go with a positive attitude and see what we can do." Bees boss Martyn Macdonald says his side have nothing to lose when they go into their play-off semi-final against Eastbourne this weekend. NEXT HOME: Eastbourne (POSF), Sun Oct 7 (4pm) NEXT AWAY: Eastbourne (POSF), Sat Oct 6 (7.30)
EASTBOURNE "We didn't make it that easy but, look, we got the result. That's what counts. We are team that works well under pressure and I think that showed tonight, so, give us some more pressure." The Eagles overcame Kent in the KO Cup semi-finals over the weekend, and skipper Mark Baseby is looking forward to the next challenge against Coventry in the play-offs. NEXT HOME: Coventry (POSF), Sat Oct 6 (7.30) NEXT AWAY: Coventry (POSF), Sun Oct 7 (4pm)
ISLE OF WIGHT "I'm made up with that. We've been set up well all afternoon and I was happy with the inside gate for the run off. Going up against Alfie was really tough. He's been on fire this weekend and to be fair he might have won it if he hadn't run in too hot on lap 4." Celebrations for the Warriors at the NLRC last Sunday with Ben Morley and Alfie Bowtell finishing one-two after a run-off at Leicester.
KENT "I went home on Monday evening in a generally happy mood. Pleased with our performance against the best team in the league and without, in effect, our No.1 rider. But I must also congratulate the Fen Tigers, not just for their Monday win, but for their overall performances during the entire season. An inspiration to us all." Promoter Len Silver reflects on the Kings' play-off defeat to Mildenhall which brings to an end the team campaign at Central Park, with the Laurels individual event to come. NEXT HOME: The Laurels, Mon Oct 8 (6.30)
MILDENHALL "Matt in particular had a fine evening and is starting to show the real ability we knew was in his locker. Matt and Sam will be very important to us in the final weeks of the season and again tonight they produced an excellent return between them." Fen Tigers boss Phil Kirk highlighted the importance of reserves Matt Marson and Sam Bebee following the big home win over Kent which set up their qualification for the National League Grand Final. NEXT HOME: Birmingham, Sun Oct 7 (3pm) NEXT AWAY: TBC
PLYMOUTH The Devils completed their home season with a three-team tournament last Friday and now have one away trip to Stoke later this month to round off the campaign. NEXT AWAY: Stoke, Sat Oct 20 (7pm)
STOKE "I haven't had the best of seasons, but recently things have come together and I'm getting more rides and enjoying my racing again." Potters skipper Max Clegg is hoping to complete the campaign on a high, and will be looking for big points against his former club Buxton when they meet home and away this weekend. NEXT HOME: Buxton, Sat Oct 6 (7pm) NEXT AWAY: Buxton, Sun Oct 7 (3pm)
FIXTURE PICTURE"¦
FRIDAY OCTOBER 5: CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Scunthorpe v Peterborough 7.30 SCOTTISH CUP 2nd leg: Edinburgh v Glasgow 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 6: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Lakeside v Peterborough (at Rye House) 7pm NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Eastbourne v Coventry 7.30 TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Buxton 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 7: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Peterborough v Lakeside 5pm NATIONAL LEAGUE PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Coventry v Eastbourne 4pm TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Stoke 3pm, Mildenhall v Birmingham 3pm BEN FUND BONANZA: Redcar CANCELLED
MONDAY OCTOBER 8: PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg: Poole v King's Lynn 7.30 THE LAURELS: Kent 6.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 10: PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Poole 7.30
FRIDAY OCTOBER 12: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 1st leg: Glasgow v Workington 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13: CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Workington v Glasgow 7pm CHAMPIONSHIP KO CUP SEMI-FINAL 2nd leg: Peterborough v Scunthorpe 7pm
SUNDAY OCTOBER 14: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Buxton v Birmingham 3pm
MONDAY OCTOBER 15: NGK SPARK PLUGS OLYMPIQUE: Wolverhampton 7.30
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 17: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 1st leg: Somerset v King's Lynn 7.30
THURSDAY OCTOBER 18: PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL 2nd leg: King's Lynn v Somerset 7.30
SATURDAY OCTOBER 20: TRAVEL PLUS NATIONAL LEAGUE: Stoke v Plymouth 7pm